Sunshine Coast Council’s sister city relationship with Xiamen, China continues to grow with the addition of a 1.5 tonne sister sculpture to Nelson Park, Alexandra Headlands. The sculpture was crane lifted into plane this morning as both designer and sculptor looked on.

Designed in Australia by well-known artist Elli Schlunke and made in China by Xiamen sculptor Min Yi Ming, the sculpture features a black swan, the symbol of Maroochy, and an egret, the symbol of Xiamen. The sculpture will not be missed, standing 3.4m high at its tallest point, 5m wide, and 6m long. An identical sculpture is on display in Xiamen, testament to the developing relationship between the two cities.

Having worked alongside Mr Min in Xiamen, the Xiamen Government invited Elli back to China for the official opening of Wuyuan Bay, where the replica sculpture was unveiled.

Chinese volunteers spent the weekend fabricating and assembling the sculpture, which Council crane-lifted into the final position on the island at Nelson Park today.

There were several locations considered before Council selected Nelson Park. The remote island location was selected for safety reasons due to the sculptures size, and the water body is an identified breeding ground and habitat for the native Black Swan.